Maddox has a 15+ year background in the company

Wynn Resorts appoints new CEO Matt Maddox

Maddox is credited with building up the company's Macau operations, the only China-controlled region that allows gambling. Macau now accounts for more than three-quarters of Wynn's earnings.
2018-02-09
Reading time 1:57 min
Maddox, credited with building up the company's Macau operations, and thus more than three-quarters of Wynn's earnings, will have to ponder on the decision to reinforce the Wynn formula as Steve Wynn left it, or favor buyout offers. Prior to Wynn, Maddox worked for Caesars Entertainment Corp. in corporate finance.

Maddox, a 42 year-old former banker and current president of the company, will be prompted with several hard decisions in his new role. First and foremost, if the Wynn formula can keep working or, as some analysts speculate, whether to entertain buyout offers, amidst separating the brand from the recent sexual misconduct allegations faced by his predecessor. 

Maddox has served Wynn Resorts for 16 years, from his initial role as chief financial officer and as president for the past four years. Maddox was already on a short list of potential internal successors to Steve Wynn that also included Linda Chen, chief operating officer of Wynn Macau, and Ian Coughlan, president of Wynn Macau, since he is "very competent and has essentially been running day-to-day operations for some time," says Adam Trivison, an analyst with G.research Inc.

Prior to Wynn, Maddox worked for Caesars Entertainment Corp. in corporate finance.

Maddox grew up far from Las Vegas. His family is from Mena, a town of about 5,600 east of the Oklahoma state line. He studied at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. His father is a lawyer who runs a practice in Mena.

Before joining the casino industry, Maddox worked as an investment banker brokering deals at Bank of America Securities. His experience was an asset as he helped secure financing for Wynn's projects in Las Vegas and its liftoff in Macau, said David Bonnet, partner at Delta State Holdings Ltd. and former casino executive in Macau.

Maddox is credited with building up the company's Macau operations, the only China-controlled region that allows gambling. Macau now accounts for more than three-quarters of Wynn's earnings.

"Macau was like the Wild West," Bonnet said. "No one knew how big the market would be. Matt definitely was instrumental to guide the strategy of Wynn Macau in a very dynamic environment back then. He would be a natural fit to make sure that they can execute their strategic initiatives."

While Wynn has two properties each in Macau and its hometown of Las Vegas, gamblers in the Asian gambling enclave tend to spend a lot more at the VIP tables than their American counterparts, making the region a top priority for operators.

"Maddox's been there from the beginning," Bonnet said. "He'll have a good understanding of the strategic direction of the company."

Maddox is entitled to $4.5 million in annual target compensation, consisting of $1.5 million in salary and a $3 million long-term award linked to performance. That's far below his previous boss, who had a target pay of $27.5 million. Maddox also got restricted stock worth $19.2 million last year after signing a new employment contract that runs through 2019.

Leave your comment
Subscribe to our newsletter
Enter your email to receive the latest news
By entering your email address, you agree to Yogonet's Condiciones de uso and Privacy Policies. You understand Yogonet may use your address to send updates and marketing emails. Use the Unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
Unsubscribe
EVENTS CALENDAR